Sedative properties of Mitracarpus villosus leaves in mice

The leaves of Mitracarpus villosus (Sw.) DC. (Rubiaceae) have several therapeutic applications in the West African folk medicine for the management of a plethora of stress-related diseases including headaches. This study was designed to evaluate the sedative properties of the ethylacetate extract of Mitracarpus villosus on open field (OFT), diazepam-induced sleep, staircase climbing, head-dips in the hole-board test and rota rod test in mice. Graded doses (100 – 400 mg/kg) of the extract significantly and dose-dependently prolonged the duration of diazepam-induced sleep (P<0.05), decreased the number of squares crossed in the OFT (P<0.0001), decreased number of head-dips in the hole-board test (P<0.05) and reduced steps climbing (P<0.05) in mice. The extract at the doses tested had no effect on motor coordination as observed in the rota-rod treadmill assay in mice. Our results revealed that the ethylacetate extract of Mitracarpus villosus leaves may contain psychoactive principles that are sedative in nature, thus supporting further development of the psychoactive components of this plant for management of stress-related diseases.Keywords: Mitracarpus villosus, sedation, diazepam, locomotion

Anti-emetic activity of Grewia lasiodiscus root extract and fractions

Preparation of Grewia lasiodiscus (K Schum) root is used in African traditional medicine to treat fever, pains and emesis. A 70% aqueous methanolic extract of G. lasiodiscus root (Extract) was obtained andfractionated on column chromatography using solvents of increasing polarities to yield three fractions designated F1 to F3. The effect of the extract on pentobarbitone-induced hypnosis was evaluated inmice while the anti-emetic activities of extract and its fractions were studied on anhydrous copper sulphate-induced emesis in one-day-old chicks. The oral median lethal dose (LD50) of extract wasstudied and estimated to be 774 mg/kg. Extract at 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg produced a significant (

Psychopharmacological properties of the saponin fraction of Ficus platyphylla stem bark

The psychopharmacological effects of a saponin-rich fraction (SFG) obtained from crude methanolic extract of Ficus platyphylla stem bark were studied on spontaneous motor activity (SMA), pentobarbitalinduced sleep, motor coordination, amphetamine-induced hyperactivity and stereotyped behaviour, catalepsy, forced swim and tail suspension tests in rodents. SFG reduced SMA dose dependently, suggesting that it may contain psychoactive principles with sedative effects. The fraction shortened the onset and prolonged the duration of pentobarbital-induced sleep, which confirmed its sedative properties. The fraction diminished immobility time in forced swim and tail suspension tests, which is indicative of antidepressant properties. It attenuated amphetamine-induced hyperactivity and stereotyped behaviour, induced catalepsy and exacerbated haloperidol-induced catalepsy in rodents, but had no effect on motor coordination in the treadmill experiment at the doses tested. These effects were similar to those of classical neuroleptics and antidepressants. Our study provides scientific evidence of psychopharmacological effects of the saponin fraction of Ficus platyphylla stem bark and therefore supports further development of its psychoactive components as antipsychotics and antidepressants. Keywords: Ficus platyphylla, depression, psychosis, sedation, spontaneous motor activity, stereotyped behaviour. Int. J. Biol. Chem. Sci. Vol. 2 (3) 2008: pp. 239-24

Wound Healing Potential of Formulated Extract from Hibiscus Sabdariffa Calyx

Wound healing agents support the natural healing process, reduce trauma and likelihood of secondary infections and hasten wound closure. The wound healing activities of water in oil cream of the methanol extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Malvaceae) was evaluated in rats with superficial skin excision wounds. Antibacterial activities against Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Echerichia coli were determined. The total flavonoid content, antioxidant properties and thin layer chromatographic fingerprints of the extract were also evaluated. The extract demonstrated antioxidant properties with a total flavonoid content of 12.30±0.09 mg/g. Six reproducible spots were obtained using methanol:water (95:5) as the mobile phase. The extract showed no antimicrobial activity on the selected microorganisms, which are known to infect and retard wound healing. Creams containing H. sabdariffa extract showed significant (P<0.05) and concentration dependent wound healing activities. There was also evidence of synergism with creams containing a combination of gentamicin and H. sabdariffa extract. This study, thus, provides evidence of the wound healing potentials of the formulated extract of the calyces of H. sabdariffa and synergism when co-formulated with gentamicin